Transportation
Election
BY RACHEL LELAND
BY JAKE MAGEE
Voter Guide
Toll rate change a potential for Hwy. 288
Rising toll rates Toll rates have risen annually since the Hwy. 288 toll roads opened in 2020. These are the rates for a two- axle vehicle from the CR 58 gantry to the McHard Road gantry.
2023
Since opening in 2020, the toll road rates for Brazoria County’s section of Hwy. 288 have risen twice, and it’s possible they may rise again. The gist The Hwy. 288 toll lanes were opened in 2020 to allow drivers to bypass traffic congestion during peak hours. The last time the Brazoria County Toll Road Authority increased rates was Jan. 1, when the rates were raised for the two gantries—where drivers are charged for using the express lanes—to between $2.80 and $14, depending on the number of vehicle axles. At its lowest rate, drivers are charged $1.06 at the CR 58 gantry and $1.74 at the McHard Road gantry—a $0.15 jump from the toll in the previous year. Brazoria County engineer Matt Hanks could not confirm if rates will change in January, when the agency normally sets its annual rates, but he said the BCTRA board of directors will likely discuss its
toll policy in November. Quote of note
Dates to know
Sample ballot
Friendswood ISD polling locations
Pearland resident Freddy Garza said his regular commute to the Galleria one way costs roughly $5 to $6, which is more than he’s willing to pay. Now, he takes the regular lane, which he said adds about 10 minutes to his commute. “I was just really surprised at how quickly the rates have gone up and how high they seem to be compared to other toll roads in Houston,” said Garza, who began taking the toll road in 2020. One more thing While Blueridge Transportation Group sets the toll policy for the section of Hwy. 288 in Harris County as part of a 50-year partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, tolls for the portion of the highway that runs through Brazoria County are managed by the Brazoria County Toll Road Authority.
Toll rates
Oct. 23: First day of early voting Oct. 27: Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) Nov. 3: Last day of early voting Nov. 7: Election Day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or Nov. 8 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)
Polling locations vary between early voting and Election Day. Early voting times vary, but Election Day voting hours are from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. statewide. Early voting/Election Day First Baptist Friendswood 202 Heritage Drive, Room 56, Friendswood Village on the Park 400 E. Parkwood Drive, town hall, Friendswood The Harbor 2821 W. Parkwood Ave., Room 2, Friendswood
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Friendswood ISD Voters will be able to cast ballots in favor of or opposed to a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE. If approved, the property tax rate would be $1.08 per $100 valuation; if rejected, the tax rate would be $1.0224. The 2022 tax rate was $1.2094. Pearland ISD Voters will be able to cast ballots in favor of or opposed to a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE. If approved, the property tax rate would be $1.1373 per $100 valuation; if rejected, the tax rate would be $1.0473. The 2022 tax rate was $1.3027. There are 14 statewide constitutional amendments on the ballot as well. Learn more at www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
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Where to vote
Friendswood ISD residents can vote at any of three polling locations within Friendswood city limits during early voting or on Election Day. Pearland ISD residents can vote at any polling location in the county in which they reside—Brazoria County or Harris County—during early voting or on Election Day. Visit www.myfisd.com/ explore-fisd/vatre, www.brazoriacountyclerktx.gov or www.harrisvotes.com for polling locations.
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2020 2021 2022 2023
SOURCES: FRIENDSWOOD ISD, PEARLAND ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: BRAZORIA COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SHADOW CREEK 11023 Shadow Creek Pkwy (281) 977-1027
PEARLAND 10555 Pearland Pkwy (713) 987-9205
ALMEDA 11130 Gulf Fwy (713) 910-3941
FRIENDSWOOD 3126 FM 528 (281) 648-5473
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